Updated Broadcast Ratings For NPR

April 18, 2011 9:49 AM ET

Ben Robins

In March, Arbitron released its national broadcast estimates for the Fall 2010 survey. National radio ratings are released twice a year and provide radio networks across the United States the opportunity to see how network shows are performing in terms of measured audience.

NPR's Fall 2010 broadcast ratings again showed little change since the previous Spring 2010 survey. Overall, the weekly audience to NPR Stations – a mix of newsmagazine and music-only stations (which carry the NPR Newscasts) has held steady at near record-high levels. On average, nearly 27 million listeners tune into at least one NPR show including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, or Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me. NPR produces or distributes at least 25 shows each week to its Member stations. See below is a summary of the Fall 2010 audience ratings for NPR-produced shows.

The Fall 2010 survey represents an important landmark for broadcast audience measurement. Arbitron has now completed its PPM rollout within the top 50 markets. Today, slightly more than half of all public radio listening is measured by the Portable People Meter. From this point forward at the national level, listening levels should start to stabilize and the radio industry will be able to more clearly determine how radio usage is faring.

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